Road traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of work-related fatalities across many industries. This demonstrates just how dangerous driving for work can be and the importance of managing the health and safety of those who drive for work. In this blog we've outlined the main risks of driving for work and how to mitigate them.
Whatever the industry, job or task - delivery driver, a field service technician, or simply commuting to a client meeting, driving for work can expose workers to serious risks. According to the UK's HSE, "as an employer, you must manage health and safety risks to workers who drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle, other powered two-wheeler or bicycle on the road as part of a work activity." This shows that health and safety laws still apply for workers moving between sites or driving for work, just as it does for workers who work at a fixed location.
What makes driving for work so risky?
There are lots of factors that can make driving risky:
- Vehicle factors - when there are problems with the condition of a vehicle (e.g. low tyre pressure)
- Environmental factors - when weather or road conditions impact a journey (e.g. heavy rain or roadworks)
- Human factors - when an individuals' physical or mental state (or their behaviour) affects their driving ability (e.g. tiredness or getting distracted by their mobile phone).
It's worth considering these factors when completing your risk assessment to ensure it covers all the risks those driving for work may face.
Driving for work and lone working
It's likely that the majority of people who drive for work are also lone workers (as they are working completely alone and/or without close or direct supervision from a manager or colleague). Examples of those driving for work and lone working simultaneously include; lorry drivers, bus drivers, delivery drivers and sales reps.
Lone workers face their own risks and challenges because there is nobody there to support or assist them if an incident were to occur. It is therefore important to ensure that those lone working and driving for work make a colleague or manager aware of their schedule or route (where possible). It is also worthwhile giving your lone workers driving for work a lone worker alarm to ensure they can quickly raise an alert, and can be located easily, in an emergency scenario.
What are the most common risks of driving for work?
The most common risks of driving for work include:
Fatigue
Long hours, tight schedules, and early starts can lead to driver fatigue—a major contributor to accidents. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, similar to those under the influence of alcohol.
Distraction
Using phones, GPS devices, or even eating while driving increases the risk of crashes. Distraction is one of the top causes of road accidents today.
Time Pressure
When workers are under pressure to meet delivery deadlines or attend back-to-back meetings, they may speed or take unnecessary risks.
Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance
Company vehicles that aren’t regularly serviced can suffer from tyre blowouts, brake failure, or other mechanical issues that cause accidents.
Poor Weather and Road Conditions
Rain, snow, fog, and poorly maintained roads can pose major hazards—especially for drivers unfamiliar with the routes they are taking.
How to mitigate the risks of driving for work:
As an employer, reducing the dangers of driving for work isn’t just about safety—it’s also about your legal and financial responsibilities. Here's how companies and drivers can work together to stay safe:
Ensure you have a comprehensive risk assessment
To comply with health & safety regulations you must conduct a thorough risk assessment which identifies the risks associated with the job roles of your lone workers and/or those driving for work. From this you then need to assess these hazards to identify the level of the potential risks faced and the steps required to protect your employees from these.
Implement a clear driving policy
Every company with mobile employees should have a written driving policy. This should cover:
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Mobile phone use
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Speed limits
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Fatigue management
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Reporting vehicle issues
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Procedures in case of accidents
This must be shared with everyone in the organisation and regularly reviewed and updated.
Make driving schedules realistic
Driving for work can be tiring and stressful - always bear this in mind when planning travel and setting schedules. Avoid pushing employees to drive unsafely by setting realistic travel schedules. Make sure you also allow time for breaks and unexpected delays.
Conduct regular driver training
It's important that you conduct regular driver training for both new and existing employees. Even experienced drivers and long-standing employees benefit from refresher courses. Training should cover:
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Defensive driving techniques
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Hazard awareness
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Driving in poor weather
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Managing distractions
- A reminder of the key points of your organisation's driving policy
Maintain a roadworthy fleet
Ensure all vehicles used for work purposes are regularly inspected and serviced. Keep detailed maintenance logs and encourage drivers to report issues immediately.
Use technology wisely
Telematics and GPS tracking can help monitor driving behavior and identify risky habits like speeding or hard braking. Used properly, these tools can promote safer driving habits.
Encourage a culture of safety
Promote open communication where drivers feel comfortable reporting fatigue, stress, or unsafe conditions without fear of penalty. Safety should always come before deadlines. Demonstrate how you learn from employee reports & feedback by sharing how this informs future updates to your health & safety policies and additional safety measures for employees.
Provide lone worker solutions
Consider providing those employees who drive for work with a lone worker solution for added protection, reassurance and a way to raise an alert in the event of an emergency.
In conclusion, driving for work is risky and the health & safety of those driving for work should be taken incredibly seriously. Whilst there are many risks associated with driving for work there are plenty of steps that can be taken to mitigate these and ensure that employee safety and wellbeing remains a priority.
What's included in a lone worker solution.